(T.Broom) There is always two sides to every story

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was sitting at the bar of the Three Broomsticks chatting merrily away to the bar staff and the other regulars. He was telling them about his adventures in Brazil and about how he had ran for a whole day to try and escape the clutches of a tribe in the rainforest. Naturally half this story was a lie, he did run away from them for around 5 minutes before he realised that they just wanted to give him some food, not eat him alive. But the whole cannibal aspect seemed to get the people interested and keep Dan the centre of everyone’s attention which was how he liked it.

“…I could hear their shouts and I kept running but they were fast, some even had this lizard things to ride and they caught up with after hours. I was so tired I could only take a few of them out but they defeated me and tied me up on a stick and carried me back to their camp. Although as they soon found out they could not keep me tied up for long, a charming smile and a kind gesture they let me go but I still carry the scares now.”

Rolling up his sleeve he showed everyone scares on his wrist where the robes supposedly dug into him. Many of the people around him grimaced and rubbed their own wrists, others long on in drunken awe, while the bar tender (the only sober one) laughed at how gullible everyone else was.
“Another drink Dan?” The barman asked.
“No I will be ok Paul, I should be leaving soon. I told Dia I would met up with her after her class finished.”

With a nod the barman walked away to serve other people and Dan slipped out of his stool, patted some of his drinking buddies on the back and started to walk out of the bar when the door flew open. The cold wind blew through and many shouted for it to be closed, but Dan looked on at the man who had entered. Maybe he would not be leaving as soon as he had thought.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Rubbing his hands together vigorously, not gleefully but to warm them, Fitz blew upon them hoping he'd find some warmth soon, of a woman or a fire didn't much matter to Fitz. That's what he would have thought once, but he barely had time to look upon women and bask in their glory now, that's what he'd claim, but anyone he knew him could tell the faint look of hunger and lust in his eyes when he passed a beautiful woman, and they way he tried out different methods to attract their attention. Often simply walking by with head held high was enough, but he wanted to see people staring at him every so often, even Fitz needed a confidence booster from time to time, so he'd casually wink and see if a smile or scowl appeared. He tended to receive a scowl or worse a roll of the eyes, but he was generally unpeturbed.

So when he passed a young lady it was no surprise that he winked flirtatiously but on receiving a look of pure venom he had actually been rankled and upset; was he going soft in his old age, he couldn't help but wonder. Feeling pretty exasperated, mainly with how little the Red Rose League was managing to achieve, admittedly it only a short space of time had alapsed between meetings but Fitz was naturally pretty impatient but also efficient as he would quaintly put it. Normally he would have had a few drinks, yet tonight he wasn't in the mood and needed to send off an owl with his latest article by dawn at the very latest, tonight was likely to be a long night, and the cold wouldn't help matters.

Entering the three broomsticks Fitz felt warmed already by the blazing fire in the hearth kept stoked well into the night, but he found his way blocked by a man he knew he should have recognised. "Excuse me sir," he asked trying to slip past as he placed his name. "Professor...Hubbles isn't it? I recognise the face," and the numerous antics you've done, pretty infamous really, "but I shan't keep you, I hear teachers have to arise early to plan their lessons, and I'm guessing from that look you're not fussed with reporters are you? And I'm not bothered about wheedling you for information neither, so I bid you a goodnight." Fitz smiled good naturedly as he edged past Hubbles, yearning for a soft pillow but knowing his quill awaited first.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Fitz Hargreaves slowly walked towards him, a smug smile on his face and as he tried to walk past he had the audacity to try and talk to him. With a glare Dan watched him walk past, nodding only out of reaction when he mentioned his name. Although as he walked past Dan could not help but turn around and follow him , his eyes burning holes into the back of the mans head. A burning hatred was slowly lighting up inside of him. This was the man who had abandoned his Dia, this was the man that years on still had her acting in certain ways in fear of the same thing happening to her again.

Well it was thanks to him mucking everything up that he was able to hold Dia now, so for that he could be thankful and a part of him wanted to say it to his face. All he had to do was reach out take hold of his arms and with a small grin and jovial tone he could pull it off, but he knew confrontation was not what Dia would want, she would want him to walk away. But it was so hard, he could pull his wand out and hex the git so easily but he had to fight temptation.

“Oy Hargreaves I have a favour to ask of you. Stay away for Dia as if you ever go near her or write to her I will hunt you down and make you pay. Do you understand me?”

People around him went silent as they could not help listen in to his shout across the pub, and as soon as his harsh voice had faded away into the rabble of the pub Dan stopped, panting heavily and trying to work out what he had just said. It was the alcohol talking not him, he wanted to avoid confrontation but yet again he had done the opposite and was threatening a man for all to see.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Believing finishing his article was the worst of his worries for the evening, that and somehow toppling the ministry, which wasn't going to happen overnight no matter how hard he tried, but he suddenly realised how very wrong he was.

Trying to casually slip past the man failed utterly, he was quite happy exchanging a few pleasantries with anyone, and more besides if they were female, but right now his quill was calling and he could feel a good story coming on. If only he knew the story was to be about himself and his highly questionable antics of times gone by, some times he would much rather forget or alter completely.

Hubbles' manner was utterly strange Fitz turned slowly as he heard the man waylay his retreat, for some reason saying 'oy' he knew straight away that wasn't going to be friendly (he'd learnt that from painful experience involving a high heel in a rather delicate area) but the sheer anger and not even veiling the threat stung and took him completely unawares. Fitz's eyes grew wide and his expression was one of utter amazement, confusion and really bafflement, under any other circumstance it would have been funny, but this one was thick with tension that could only be cut with a very sharp knife indeed. Spinning on his heel he gave Dan a look of complete surprise and puzzlement that he couldn't hide.

"What the hell are you on about?" He asked his brow knitted in concentration as he tried to think of a reason for the man's strange, threatening behaviour, but unluckily his mouth continued to do the talking; fuelled by his easily kindled rage; "Dia is a very good friend of mine," he stated his voice displaying the hurt felt by someone daring to try warding him away from her.

"I'm sure I don't know why you're so edgy man, I've known Dia for years, there's no possible reason why she wouldn't want to see and talk to me." Eventually his brain clicked into gear and his mouth formed a ridiculous little 'o'. Suddenly Fitz became very keenly aware of the countless eyes set upon them both, already he'd allowed his mouth to ramble on without thinking, he'd have to be exceptionally careful in how he handled this crisis, above all he didn't want Dia to hear of it; though there was exceedingly small hope of that happening in the busiest pub for miles that literally buzzed with gossip. Perhaps it wasn't too late to dampen the already substantial damage though.

"Outside now Hubbles," he hissed as he moved closer his eyes darting to the crowd to make him more aware of them.
"These words are better said in private man." He whispered his voice dropping so low that even Hubbles would have difficulty hearing; especially of his temper was soaring sky high.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Seeing as he had really started it all by making such a ridiculous threat out of no where Dan did not expect Fitz let in die out, not with so many eyes fixed upon them. But yet he could not help but laugh with the answer he got from Fitz. He saw them as ‘old friends’ well it was clear that Dia would not be able to class Fitz as that, no matter how much she wanted to he had hurt her and Dan could not stand for that.
Listening to Fitz spout out rubbish only made him laugh lightly to himself; that was until his small mind full of clever remarks and false judgments clicked why Dan was being so protective over Dia. The look of shock on his face was priceless but he did not expect to get the response of being ushered outside. Dan had only ever ‘stepped outside’ twice in his entire life and neither of them had turned out with him being the victory so it was no surprise he was a little reluctant at first.

“Come on Hargreaves we are not at school there is no need to have a brawl over this.” But it was too late Fitz was pushing him out of the door and out of the pub a small crowd following them. With a glance around and hearing Fitz mumble something that Dan could not hear he made the assumption it was something pigheaded and most likely against Dia. So with a frown Dan pulled himself away from the other mans grasp and stood opposite it him rolling up his sleeves.

“Right if this is what you want Hargreaves then I guess there is no stopping you.”

Dan stood straight with his back straight and his head held high but it was then he noticed that Fitz was not preparing himself for a small scuffle and Dan let out a small sigh as he may not have to return to the castle with a black eye. Placing his hands on is hips Dan looked at Fitz with a clenched jaw and waited, the people that had followed them out returned back to the warmth of the pub after they worked out there was not going to be a fight after all.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Eyes were always upon Fitz; maybe it was his natural good looks or his reputation who could tell, for once he wasn't being pigheaded and arrogant, no he'd seen it of others and knew the same was true of him; eyes were drawn to his presence, sometimes for all the wrong reasons, like now, and other times for all the best reasons. But he had a reputation to uphold, even if it wasn't crystal clear blackening it further brawling with a ridiculous man was an absurd idea, when he was cool and calm, thankfully his anger hadn't taken complete control and so shoving Hubbles out had actually worked, and hadn't esaclated into the fight he had been afraid of.

"Are you absurd man? I'm not going to fight you" As you're not worth the effort he thought wryly. Fitz could see no real way of explaining things to Hubbles, he would believe things how he wanted to perceive them, not even Dia herself could change his mind probably, even if she wanted to. But Fitz was determined so he began; "Hubbles listen to reason man, whatever you say I do remain good friends with Dia, what happened in our past is between us only, it is nothing to do with you at all."

He rolled his eyes at Hubbles then continued, "so don't threaten me, as there's really no need and I won't heed it anyway, clearly the pair of you are lovers from the way you've reacted, now everyone knows, I won't even need to write an article on it, so you've done yourself damage enough without trying to beat me up."

Fitz's voice was calm and controlled overall he really was a kind man, but the persona of a reporter had to be upheld, or else he'd literally have nothing decent to write.

"I honestly wish the pair of you all the best but if you raise your voice against me once more then Dia will certainly here of it, and she won't be pleased, I do actually know her far better than you, just face it." He said simply with a shrug of his shoulders.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan watched and listened as Fitz rambled on about Dan acting irrationally, which was not a rare statement when Dan had had a few drinks, but this was in the context of Dia, the women that he cared for more then anything. In hind sight the idea of having a fight with this man was stupid as Dia would frown upon then most defiantly but the liked to think she would not mind him standing up to Fitz. It was not like she did not know Dan had a short temper, they themselves had engaged in many heated arguments, but they both knew when to stop, and Dan was going to us this experience to stop anything from happening he would regret.

“I agree you know more about the old Dia, as you spent all that time with her. I most likely saw you both as you came running into the great hall all bright and full of life and I was the moody 7th year wanting you all to shut up. But now, I think I know this Dia more then you, the Dia that carries all the pain you caused her. The post-Fitz Dia.”

Dan took a few more steps towards the reporter, a small smile playing on his face that was in sharp contrast to the vicious gleam that was in his eyes. But allow Dan started off in a low tone that was meant to seem menacing he could not keep it up, the mere thought of Dia and how so made him feel forced his voice to become louder and his smile to grow wider.

“When was the last time you talked to her Hargreaves? Face to face not threw your fancy writing skills, when was the last time you look deep into her eyes and saw that sparkle, the look that you know she is feeling the same way about you as you do for her. You know that her sweet smile is only for you, her laugh that takes away all misery that you are feeling and replaces it with a feeling of ecstasy.”

Dan stopped and looked down his shoes, he could not believe he was just admitting all his feelings for Dia to a complete stranger, and to add more to it this stranger was Dia’s ex-lover. Looking back at Fitz Dan swallowed hard to try and stop the bile that was raising up in his throat. He was sure it had to the vast quantities of alcohol inside of him that was making him act like this, going from one extreme to the other.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

The man's words stung, not because they were overly harsh but because they hinted at the truth. But Hubbles didn't know it all, he couldn't do, and he certainly couldn't have known what it was like those few years ago when things had been so different, the worry that had plagued Fitz, the guilt at even seeing other women, the fear inside that had in the end forced him to do just what he had been scared of; losing her.

They'd been such good strong friends; perhaps too good, maybe staying how they were would have suited them much better and not ended in the tears and misery that afflicted both parties. Don't think Fitz is all cold, hard steel, because he isn't it's mainly an act his cold but confidant front. Deep down, admittedly very deep down, he's kind and warm; only that side rarely surfaces.

"I didn't cause all the pain," muttered Fitz darkly staring blankly at the ground and seemingly oblivious to Dan's presence, hands shoved deep in his pockets he was a picture of dejection scuffing the ground with his shoe. "We should never have got together in the first place, it was a disaster right from the start." He muttered his voice falling to a low pitch as he grumbled away sorely missing his past, much more simplistic life; when relations with Dia had been at their highest. As Dan began talking again the words slowly penetrated and awareness grew on Fitz's face, his eyes widened as he looked up at the man, truly he was in love with Dia then, or else he had a way with words; which somehow seemed unlikely.

"I had that once," he remarked with a sad little smile that grew, "but to be truthful I'm glad she's finding happiness with you, she deserves a good man, I was never worth her affections," he fixed Dan with a grim look eyes sorrowful, "it ate me up from the inside, the feeling that I never could be good enough for her endless love. Her innocence was stifling, her love so strong and binding, but no I wasn't afraid of commitment, no," he muttered darkly, "I was afraid of myself and ruining her, and in so doing I did ultimately hurt her, and for that your measly words can never hurt me like the look of pure shock and deep pain that she gave me." Mumbling now Fitz blinked back tears holding them at bay; he had to remain hard, for he had a duty now; to the Red Rose League, that group that had ensnared him so long ago when they were just beginning.

"Hubbles I doubt your worthiness, truthfully I do, you're not the nicest of men, and take that as a compliment, but Dia is looking for someone very special...fate tore us apart but maybe it will look down kindly upon you." Fitz breathed deeply stifling his emerging pride, he couldn't believe he'd just spoken so before this man of all people, but he had, and this man was championing for the affections of one he held dear. Forever.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan looked at the man, but without the harshness has he had previously had, there was something about Fitz’s attitude that had changed and Dan knew had reached the heart of the situation, quite literally. The body language and tone had changed, he looked beaten, hurt by the mere memory of his past. It was the same look that Dia had had.

But as the man continued to talk, describing his past with Dia how they had not be suited, how things never seemed right, how in the end he did what he did to stop Dia from being hurt more then she was. Dan could not look at Fitz any more, he lowered his gaze trying to think straight, his throat had closed up and it was hard to breath. But yet Fitz continued to talk and all it did was make Dan feel worse. Not only could he not stay angry at a man who clearly loved and respected Dia as much as he did but the words he spoke worth truthful and Dan was sure without meaning to it forced Dan to look at himself and wonder his own worthiness for Dia.

But just to make him feel worse Fitz addressed him, so as a natural reaction Dan looked up at the mention of his name. As he met the man’s gaze he tried to put on his false confidence, act as if the mans words had not meant anything but it was hard. Although what he said this time only made him respect the man even more. A small smile played on his lips when Fitz wished them luck, and if what he said was right then they would need it.
Reaching out Dan placed on his hands on Fitz’s shoulder, the smile on his face growing even more. Then in a low tone, much similar to that Fitz used Dan spoke.

“Thank you Hargreaves. I will learn from your mistakes and make sure I do not lose her. You are a good man, I am sorry I formed an opinion of you before I had met you properly.” Letting go of his shoulder Dan looked back to the pub, seeing an empty space at the bar. His eyes grew wide and he turned back to Fitz with a toothy grin. “Come on let me buy you a drink, to apologise for making a fool of myself and dragging you into it.”

As Dan looked at the man hopeful he had a small feeling that these two were more alike then either of them wanted to admit.